Bracken County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Bracken County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.0, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bracken County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 12.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.36 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $137K in expected annual loss and about 50.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bracken County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Bracken County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Bracken County ranks #114 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.36 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.53 / yr | $137K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $598K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.04 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.00 / yr | $90K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $16K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.22 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.63 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.63 / yr | $168K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.24 / yr | $17K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $656 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bracken County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bracken County?
Bracken County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bracken County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Lightning (Low, $137K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bracken County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Bracken County ranks #114 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bracken County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Bracken County since 1968, most often 8 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Bracken County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.